Live event interactive game and method of delivery

ABSTRACT

The disclosure describes a computer-implemented method of providing an event related game. The method includes receiving event data associated with a media broadcast at a computer, generating a printable game set, and providing the printable game set in an electronic format configured for printing by a user. The printable game set includes at least one game card and a set of trade tickets. The at least one game card includes a list of game events associated with the media broadcast. Each trade ticket of the set of trade tickets identifies a game event.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

[0001] The present application claims priority from U.S. provisionalpatent application No. 60/442,940, filed Jan. 27, 2003, entitled “LIVEEVENT INTERACTIVE GAME AND METHOD OF DELIVERY,” naming inventor DaleRoush, which application is incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The disclosure, in general, relates to interactive games. Morespecifically, this disclosure relates to the distribution of games forfacilitating interaction with live events.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Sports events, reality television, and other broadcast haveunpredictable outcomes. However, because of rules and other factors, theoutcome and other events within the broadcast are derived from a knownset. For example, a football game has events within a game that arederived from a known set. Each game may or may not have a touchdown,interception, field goal, or blocked punt, among various events. Inaddition, the rules are often established such that one of the two teamsmust win, although which one is unknown at the beginning of the game.Similarly, other broadcast television programs, web broadcasts, andprogramming may have an associated set of possible events, although theoccurrence of any one of the possible events and the outcome areunknown.

[0004] Other games have attempted to create interactivity with sportsevents. Often, these games require ongoing network access and expensiveequipment. In addition, the games limit interactivity among players. Theinteraction is typically limited to comparison of scores.

[0005] On the other hand, typical board and card games are notcustomized for live broadcasts. They are limited by their original formand therefore are limited in how they relate to a specific broadcast orevent.

[0006] As such, many interactive games suffer from deficiencies ininteractivity among players and with live events. Therefore, an improvedlive event interactive game would be desirable.

SUMMARY

[0007] The disclosure describes a computer-implemented method ofproviding an event related game. The method includes receiving eventdata associated with a media broadcast at a computer, generating aprintable game set, and providing the printable game set in anelectronic format configured for printing by a user. The printable gameset includes at least one game card and a set of trade tickets. The atleast one game card includes a list of game events associated with themedia broadcast. Each trade ticket of the set of trade ticketsidentifies a game event.

[0008] The disclosure also describes a computer-implemented method ofproviding interactive entertainment associated with a broadcast sportsgame. The method includes receiving event data associated with thebroadcast sports game at a computer, generating a game set, andproviding the game set in an electronic format configurable for printingby a user. The game set includes a plurality of game cards and aplurality of trade tickets. Each game card of the plurality of gamecards lists a unique set of game events associated with the broadcastsports game. Each trade ticket of the plurality of trade ticketsincludes a unique game event. At least one of the plurality of tradetickets includes a game win event associated with a team associated withthe broadcast sports game.

[0009] In addition, the disclosure describes a method of providinginteractive entertainment associated with a media event. The methodincludes accessing a game set provided in a printable electronic format,printing the game set, and distributing one game card of the pluralityof game cards and a subset of trade tickets of the set of trade ticketsto one of a plurality of players. The game set includes a plurality ofgame cards and a set of trade tickets. Each game card of the pluralityof game cards includes a distinct list of game events. Each trade ticketof the set of trade tickets identifies a game event.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 is a block diagram depicting a system to provide aninteractive game.

[0011]FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 are flow diagrams depicting an exemplary methodfor delivering and accessing the game.

[0012]FIGS. 5 and 6 are flow diagram depicting an exemplary method ofplaying a game.

[0013]FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 are pictorials depicting exemplary embodiments ofelements of the game, as seen in FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0014]FIG. 10 is a flow diagram depicting an exemplary method for usewith the game.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] This disclosure relates to a game and method of delivering thegame. The game allows a group of players to interact with a live eventsuch as a football game, sports event, reality television, game show, orday-time drama. However, the game may also be used for, recorded, VCR,DVD, video-on-demand, and pay-per-view events. The game uses a set ofcards customized for the event and rules designed to facilitateinteraction among a group of players. For example, a game may beassociated with a live sports event. Alternately, the game may beassociated with a scripted or pre-recorded program.

[0016]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram depicting an exemplary system. Thesystem 10 includes a server 12 connected to a user unit 16 through aninterconnected network 14. The system 10 also includes a broadcastreceiver 18. A user accesses the server 12 through the user unit 16 todownload a game associated with a broadcast event. The user then printsfrom the user unit 16 game elements that are used to play a game inresponse to events and happenings during the broadcast event. The userunit 16 may be restricted in the number of times it may print, access,or download the game. The system may also include a developer unit 20that may access the server 12 through the interconnected network 14. Anadvertiser 21 may also access the server 12 through the interconnectednetwork 14. However, these elements may or may not be included together,separately or in various combinations.

[0017] The interconnected network 14 may, for example, include wirelessnetworks, LAN, VMS, and global networks. The server 12 may, for example,include computational circuits that may communicate using variousnetwork protocols across the interconnected network 14. The user unit16, developer unit 20, and advertisers 21 may, for example, includecomputational electronics such as handheld computers, notebooks,laptops, desktop computers, portable computers, servers, and othercomputational circuitry operable for accessing a server 12 over aninterconnected network 14.

[0018] In one exemplary embodiment, a user may, through the player unit16 and the interconnected network 14, access the server 12, download thegame elements, print them and, with a group of players, watch abroadcast event on the broadcast receiver 18. The broadcast event may,for example, be a football game. The football game has a known set ofpossible events that may or may not occur during the game. In addition,the rules are established such that one team must win, although whichteam may not be known at the beginning of the game. The game maycomprise a set of game elements including game cards and trade tickets.The game cards and trade tickets may be distributed among a set ofplayers and used in accordance with the game rules upon the observationof events within the game.

[0019] For example, a game card may have a quarter-by-quarter listing ofa subset of potential events that may or may not occur in the game suchas interceptions, fumbles, first downs, touchdowns, field goals,safeties, penalties, punt returns and sacks. If and when any one ofthese events occurs, the player having a game card listing that eventmay indicate that the event occurred, such as by crossing, checkmarking, punching, or filling a box.

[0020] In another example, players may be given a set of trade tickets.Each trade ticket is associated with a possible event. A player holdingthe event card associated with an event that occurs during the game mayforcibly trade tickets with another player in an attempt to acquire thewinning trade ticket. For example, in a football game, these events mayinclude two point conversions, fumbles, passing touchdowns, rushingtouchdowns, video challenges, field goals, interceptions, punts, andtime outs. In each case, rewards may be given to players with a winningtrade ticket or a winning game card.

[0021] In addition, developers through developer unit 20, may access theserver to establish game data. The game data may include customizing thegame for a given event, adding advertiser information, adding a uniqueidentification number, and managing the distribution. The server 12 mayuse this data to generate and deliver games to users.

[0022] Advertisers 21 may also access the server 12 to placeadvertisements on the various elements of the game, includingadvertisements on the game cards and trade tickets. The advertisers 21may also access the server 12 to acquire purchasing data. Further,advertisers may place coupons on game cards or trade tickets. Theseplacements may also be customized to region based on the locations ofthe user.

[0023]FIG. 2 is a block flow diagram depicting an exemplary method fordelivering a game. The method 30 includes setting or establishing thegame data, as shown at step 32, generating the game, as shown at step33, and transferring the game, as shown at step 34. Setting the gamedata may include receiving game data from a developer, advertiser oroperator of the server. The game data may include specific dataassociated with the event, rules associated with the event,probabilities associated with game events, advertising data, uniqueidentification numbers, and other data used by the server to create orgenerate a game. A game set is generated, as shown in step 33.

[0024] The server may transfer the game upon request from a user unitand/or when purchased by a user, as shown at step 34. For example, thegame set may be transferred in a printable format configured forprinting by the user. In one embodiment, the user may access the serverand purchase the game by entering information such as addresses andcredit card numbers. Alternately, a user may be provided with the gamefor free for entering information of interest to an advertiser. However,various motivations for transferring a game may be envisaged.

[0025] The game may be transferred in formats such as PDF, HTML, XML,and DOC. Alternately, the game may be transferred as a script orinstruction file that results in a game file that may be printed. Thegame may be generated by the server and the files associated with theseformats provided. Various file formats may be used that limit the numberof printings, accesses, or downloads by the user. Players may play thegame, as shown at step 36.

[0026]FIG. 3 is another exemplary method for use by the system. Themethod 50 includes a step of selecting a game, as shown at step 52. Auser may identify a desired game. For example, they may choose from aset of football games to be broadcast on a given broadcast day.Alternately, they may select from a variety of sports events or realityTV programs.

[0027] Depending upon the arrangement for transfer, the user maypurchase the game, as shown at step 54. Purchasing may include entry ofcredit card numbers, other means of money transfer, or the exchange ofinformation that would have some value to the provider or an advertiser.The user downloads the game, as shown at step 56. The game may beprovided in formats, such as PDF and HTML. The system may download thefile using transfer formats and protocols including HTTP and FTP.

[0028] The user or a select group of players may play the game, as shownat step 58, by watching or listening to a broadcast, or attending asports event or other event. The game elements may be printed anddistributed among the players for use with the broadcast event.

[0029] For example, a user may want to play a game associated with aCowboys/Redskins football game. The user may select the Cowboys/Redskinsgame, purchase the game and download it. The user may print out the gameelements and distribute them among a group of players. Each player mayhave a game card and a set of trade tickets. The game card may includelistings, segregated by quarter, of possible events that may occurwithin the broadcast of the football game. The players may check offthese events if and when they occur. The players may also force otherplayers to trade a ticket with them when an event indicated by aplayer's trade ticket occurs in the game. Rewards may be distributed forthose holding a winning game card and/or trade ticket.

[0030]FIG. 4 is a block flow diagram depicting another method for use bythe system. Once downloaded, the player may print a play sheet, as shownat step 72. Play sheets may include game elements associated with aspecific broadcast event. For example, play sheets may include gamecards and trade tickets associated with a specific football game beingbroadcast. The user may collect a pool of money from players, as shownat step 73. The game pieces are distributed to players, as shown at step74. The pool may act as the source of rewards for those who win thegame. Players may play the game, as shown in step 76, by observing thebroadcast and responding to events within the broadcast in accordancewith game rules.

[0031]FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 depict an exemplary game or games for usewith this delivery method. FIG. 5 depicts a method 90 in which playerswatch a broadcast of a sports event, as shown at step 92. As eventsoccur within the game or sports event that are indicated on a game card,players check off these events, as shown at step 94. At the end of theperiod or end of the game, scores may be tallied, as shown at step 96.Rewards may be distributed, as shown at step 98, in accordance with therules for winning. These rules may include receiving a portion of thepool for each event checked on the game card, giving a portion of thepool to the card with the highest score, or various combinations. Forexample, a group of players may all put money into a pool and distributea part of the pool to the player with the highest scoring game card. Inanother exemplary embodiment, the players may distribute the money inproportion to the number of events checked on a game card or the scoreof the game card. Alternately, establishments may provide variousrewards and incentives such as gift cards, drinks, T-shirts, noveltyitems and other items, in accordance with various methods of scoringgame cards. The game cards may also include trivia questions and playersmay be graded on the answers. The answers may be broadcast as part ofthe event. One example of a game card is shown in FIG. 8.

[0032]FIG. 6 is another exemplary method for playing a game. The method110 begins with players watching the program, as shown at step 112, suchas a sports event or reality television. The players have a set of tradetickets. Each trade ticket has at least one event listed from a set ofpossible events that may occur within the sports event or broadcast. Ifan event is observed, as shown at step 114, a player holding a tradeticket indicating that event may force another player to trade tickets,as shown at step 116. The trade tickets may additionally include a finalevent or outcome such as team 1 wins or team 2 wins. If the game is notover, as shown at step 118, players continue to observe events andforcibly trade tickets as those events occur. Once the game ends, thereward is distributed, as shown in step 120, for that player holding thewinning card. An example of a sheet of trade tickets is shown in FIG. 9.

[0033] In one exemplary embodiment, the game may be associated with afootball game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Redskins. Aset of trade tickets may be distributed among players that includeevents such as one team fumbles or a pass is intercepted. The tradetickets may also include trade tickets such as Dallas fumbles orWashington intercepts a pass. The trade tickets also include two finalcards indicating the outcome of the event, such as Dallas wins orWashington wins. Players may trade tickets as events occur in an attemptto be in possession of the winning trade ticket at the end of the game.For example, if, near the end of the game, it appears that Dallas willwin the game, and an event such as Dallas intercepts the ball occurs,the player holding the Dallas intercepts pass trade ticket may tradeanother player having the Dallas wins ticket to acquire the Dallas winsticket. If the game ends and Dallas wins, then the player holding theDallas wins ticket may be rewarded.

[0034] The game cards and trade tickets may be generated by the serverin accordance with data associated with the event. For example, theserver may customize a generic football data set for use with a specificfootball game, such as the Dallas Cowboys versus the WashingtonRedskins. A server may then generate the game cards and/or trade ticketsin accordance with this data. In addition, the server may generate thesecards and tickets in accordance with other probability data associatedwith the occurrence of these events. FIG. 7 depicts an exemplary tableof possible events and their likelihood of occurring within any givenquarter. The server may use this table or a similar data set dependingupon the game, such as a football game between Dallas and Washington asshown in FIGS. 8 and 9, or the illustrative example of New York versusBaltimore shown in FIG. 7, to generate lists and subsets of possibleevents for placements within each game card and on trade tickets. Theserver may additionally use these probabilities to ensure that any onegame card has an approximately equal chance of winning. The game datamay be further customized based on the skills or past performance of theteam, the level of competition, such as college or professional, andother influencing factors.

[0035] A game card as exemplified in FIG. 8 may take various forms. Adifferent game may, for example, be distributed to each player. In thisexemplary embodiment, the game card may include subsets of eventsselected from the list of possible occurrences and distributed amongquarters. In this exemplary embodiment, Quarter 1, for example, includesevents such as Washington defense makes touchdown, Dallas offensivepenalty declined, Washington gets score safety, Dallas kick-off or puntreturn for score, and Dallas quarterback scrambles for first down.However, each quarter and each card will have a differing set of events.The cards may also include a half-time event such as Dallas ahead.

[0036] The card may further include an indication, here shown at thetop, indicating to which game the card applies. Further, the card mayinclude various advertisements by various advertisers. The advertisementmay be generated with the card or pre-set as part of a template. Thecard may include a coupon and/or trivia questions.

[0037] Furthermore, the card may include a list of all the possibletrade tickets such that when events occurring with a trade ticket allplayers know that the trade ticket exists and the player having thetrade ticket knows what other trade tickets are available for trading.

[0038] Game cards may also have a unique number. The unique number maybe used to participate in a raffle, sweepstakes, or lottery. This uniquenumber may be assigned or generated by the server.

[0039]FIG. 9 is an exemplary embodiment of a sheet of trade tickets.FIG. 9 shows 10 trade tickets. However, a game may include more or lessthan 10 trade tickets. The number of trade tickets may be varieddepending on the number of players, type of event, and style of game.The trade tickets may include various events that may or may not occurduring the game, such as Washington makes 2-point conversion andWashington fumbles. In addition, the sheet of trade tickets shouldinclude trade tickets indicative of potential outcomes of the event suchas Washington wins or Dallas wins. Players may trade tickets in responseto events indicated on the trade tickets for trade tickets using variousstrategies to acquire the winning trade ticket, be it Washington wins orDallas wins. In an alternate embodiment, the winning or outcome tradetickets may include a unique number. The unique number may be used toparticipate in a raffle, sweepstakes, or lottery. Further, the tradetickets may include coupons and advertisements. For example, anadvertiser may place a coupon for drinks or pizza among the tradetickets.

[0040]FIG. 10 depicts another exemplary method for use with the system.In this method 130, the server may assign a unique number, as shown atstep 132, to each game set purchased. The unique number may be added tothe game data, as shown at step 134. This may include adding the uniquenumber to the trade tickets or the game cards. The unique numberidentifies the game set and may be used for tracking purposes,lotteries, sweepstakes, or raffles.

[0041] The game set is transferred, as shown in step 136. At aprescribed point in time, one unique number is selected from the set ofdistributed unique number as seen in a block 138. This may, for example,be performed in a lottery or sweepstakes fashion. An award isdistributed, as shown in step 140. For example, the sponsor of oradvertiser with the game may establish a sweepstakes in which one winneramong purchasers of the game set is awarded with a portion of a largerpool derived from game purchases.

[0042] Aspects of the system for delivering an interactive game includea server accessible by a user through an interconnected network and abroadcast receiver. The user may access the server to download a gameset associated with a broadcast event in various document formats. Theuser may print the game and distribute its elements among a group ofplayers. The game may be associated with various broadcast events,including football games, sports events, reality television,pay-per-view events, and video-on-demand programming. The game may bedownloaded in various formats including PDF formats, HTML formats, XMLformats, word processor document formats, program instruction formatssuch as JAVA and Javascript. For example, the game may be downloaded ina PDF format and limited to a set number of printing attempts. Theuser's unit may take various forms such as a laptop, handheld circuitry,or desktop computer. The game may be played in residential setting orpublic settings such as bars, restaurants and clubs.

[0043] Additional aspects may be found in a method for delivering agame. The method may include setting a game data, transferring the game,and playing the game. The game data may include specific data about abroadcast event, advertisers and advertisements associated with thegame, unique allocation numbers associated with additional aspects ofthe game, and information specific to the user. The game may betransferred through an interconnected network to a user unit. The usermay print the game from the user unit and distribute it among theplayers.

[0044] Aspects of the game may include a set of game cards and a set oftrade tickets associated with events that possible could occur within abroadcast event. Each game card has a list or subset of the possibleevents that could occur in the broadcast event. The game card may alsoinclude a list of available trade tickets, a unique identificationnumber, advertisements, trivia questions, coupons, and/or informationspecific to the broadcast event. The game card may have a list of eventssubdivided by periods in which they occurred or may occur. The tradetickets may include one event selected from a set of possible eventsthat may occur within the broadcast event. The trade tickets areexchanged when an event occurs that is listed on the trade ticket. Atthe end of the broadcast event, rewards may be distributed for personsholding the trade ticket associated with the final event or winner. Thetrade tickets may also have a unique identification number, triviaquestions, and coupons. Rewards may also be distributed for playershaving events listed on their game card that occurred during thebroadcast event. The winning trade ticket may also include a uniqueidentification number for use with a raffle, sweepstakes, or lottery.The game cards and/or trade tickets may be delivered in a format such asPDF with limits on a number of printings. The game may be copied ontocards with one of several colors such that the same game may be playedamong many groups in a public setting, each group having a game with adifferent color.

[0045] Aspects may be found in a method for playing the game. The methodmay include watching a broadcast program, observing an event, andtrading an event ticket. A player holding an event ticket associatedwith the observed event may trade that ticket for another event ticket.When the game ends, the person holding a ticket indicating a winreceives a reward.

[0046] Another aspect is found in a further method for playing a game.The method includes watching a broadcast event, observing events, andindicating the occurrence of those events on a game card listing asubset of possible events. The method may further include tallyingscores associated with the number of events occurring in a game thatappear on a card. The method may further include distributing the rewardbased on tallying the scores.

[0047] The above disclosed subject matter is to be consideredillustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended claims are intendedto cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other embodimentswhich fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of the presentinvention is to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretationof the following claims and their equivalents, and shall not berestricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method of providing anevent related game, the method comprising: receiving event dataassociated with a media broadcast at a computer; generating a printablegame set, the printable game set including at least one game card and aset of trade tickets, the at least one game card including a list ofgame events associated with the media broadcast, each trade ticket ofthe set of trade tickets identifying a game event; and providing theprintable game set in an electronic format configured for printing by auser.
 2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the mediabroadcast is a sports event.
 3. The computer-implemented method of claim1, wherein the set of trade tickets includes two trade tickets eachindicating a win event for a different team.
 4. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 1, further comprising inserting an advertisement in theprintable game set.
 5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1,further comprising inserting an advertisement on the at least one gamecard.
 6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprisingretrieving an advertisement from an advertiser system.
 7. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising acquiringuser information from the user.
 8. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 7, wherein the user information includes user locationinformation.
 9. The computer-implemented method of claim 7, wherein theprintable game set is generated using the user information.
 10. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising associating aunique number with the printable game set.
 11. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 10, wherein the unique number is associated with alottery.
 12. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, furthercomprising inserting a coupon in the printable game set.
 13. Acomputer-implemented method of providing interactive entertainmentassociated with a broadcast sports game, the method comprising:receiving event data associated with the broadcast sports game at acomputer; generating a game set, the game set including a plurality ofgame cards and a plurality of trade tickets, each game card of theplurality of game cards listing a unique set of game events associatedwith the broadcast sports game, each trade ticket of the plurality oftrade tickets including a unique game event, at least one of theplurality of trade tickets including a game win event associated with ateam associated with the broadcast sports game; and providing the gameset in an electronic format configurable for printing by a user.
 14. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 13, wherein the broadcast sportsgame includes a football game.
 15. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 13, further comprising acquiring information associated with theuser.
 16. The computer-implemented method of claim 15, wherein theinformation associated with the user included location information. 17.The computer-implemented method of claim 13, further comprisinginserting an advertisement in the game set.
 18. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 13, further comprising inserting an advertisement oneach of the plurality of game cards.
 19. The computer-implemented methodof claim 13, further comprising associating a unique number with thegame set.
 20. A method of providing interactive entertainment associatedwith a media event, the method comprising: accessing a game set providedin a printable electronic format, the game set including a plurality ofgame cards and a set of trade tickets, each game card of the pluralityof game cards including a distinct list of game events, each tradeticket of the set of trade tickets identifying a game event; printingthe game set; and distributing one game card of the plurality of gamecards and a subset of trade tickets of the set of trade tickets to oneof a plurality of players.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein a playerof the plurality of players marks a game card in response to theoccurrence of game events included in the distinct list of game events.22. The method of claim 20, further comprising scoring each game card ofthe plurality of game cards upon completion of the media event.
 23. Themethod of claim 22, further comprising distributing a prize to a playerin response to scoring each game card.
 24. The method of claim 20,wherein a player exchanges a trade ticket with a second player inresponse to the occurrence of a game event listed on the trade ticket.25. The method of claim 20, further comprising distributing a prize to aplayer holding a trade ticket indicating a game winning event uponcompletion of the media event.
 26. The method of claim 20, furthercomprising displaying the media event.